Carnival 2026 Unveiled With Goal of 10,000 International Visitors

Antigua and Barbuda has officially launched Carnival 2026 under the theme “Feel the Rhythm,” with Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries Daryll Matthew outlining an aggressive tourism strategy, a call for stronger private-sector backing, and a push to deepen the festival’s cultural foundation.

Speaking at the media launch, Matthew described Carnival as “the heartbeat of our culture” and “a powerful expression of our emancipation, identity and our creativity” .

“This year we proudly present the theme, ‘Feel the Rhythm,’” he said, adding that the theme “captures the essence of our carnival” and reflects something “energetic… deeply rooted… expressive… and unmistakably Antiguan” .

Carnival 2026 will run from July 25 to August 4, featuring two weeks of pageants, calypso and soca competitions, steel pan events, youth showcases and traditional mas.

Matthew said the 2026 season is being positioned as a key pillar of the country’s tourism and economic development agenda.

“We are targeting no less than 10,000 international visitors to Antigua and Barbuda,” he said .

He noted that the Festivals Commission is partnering closely with the Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority to market the event internationally, using destination-driven campaigns and diaspora outreach .

Matthew pointed to increased airlift and participation in 2025 as evidence that the strategy is working, and said the objective is to “solidify global awareness” and reinforce Antigua’s reputation as the Caribbean’s “greatest summer festival”.

During a question-and-answer session, Matthew addressed concerns about outstanding payments and festival financing, saying the issue goes beyond individual invoices and points to the broader funding structure of Carnival .

He acknowledged that the government extends millions annually to market and produce the festival, while many sectors that benefit from increased arrivals do not directly contribute to its staging .

“I want to use the opportunity to invite the corporate community here in Antigua and Barbuda… to put funds back into Carnival,” Matthew said .

He specifically called on the hotel sector to contribute more consistently, arguing that hotels are major beneficiaries of increased visitor arrivals during the festival period .

Matthew also confirmed that payments to vendors and stakeholders are ongoing, while emphasizing the need for a more sustainable financing model for the long term .

Beyond entertainment and tourism, Matthew used the launch to underscore Carnival’s historical roots.

He urged stronger promotion of the Emancipation Day Watch Night observance, noting that while Carnival is often associated with fetes and pageantry, its deeper meaning must not be lost .

“We must not let the real reason for Carnival get lost in the revelry,” he said, calling for the activity to remain a visible part of the official calendar .

On questions about preserving traditional cultural elements on the road, Matthew said the government continues to support heritage components through the Department of Culture but noted that participation ultimately depends on public demand .

Addressing security, Matthew credited law enforcement for what he described as a largely incident-free 2025 season and said authorities will once again coordinate safety and crowd management for 2026 .

He also made clear that while international artists may feature in select shows, he does not intend to reposition Antigua’s Carnival as a purely large-scale international fete, saying the country must preserve its unique cultural identity .

As the countdown begins, officials say Carnival 2026 aims to merge culture, commerce and community — inviting locals, diaspora and visitors alike to “feel the rhythm” next summer .

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